Chrysler turns to suppliers for ideas
Bradford Wernle
Automotive News
August 23, 2007 - 2:11 pm EST

DETROIT -- Now that Chrysler LLC is an independent U.S. automaker again, it will be looking to its suppliers for more ideas and cooperation, according to Simon Boag, executive vice president for procurement and supply.

"We are smaller now, so we're going to rely on our supply base more," Boag said in an interview.

Boag said at the Automotive Industry Action Group's AutoTech conference and exhibition here that there will be no major changes in Chrysler's supplier programs, including the External Balance Scorecard, a process through which suppliers can measure their performance on a part or commodity next to that of competitors.

Another program is Powerway, an Internet-based tool for reporting supplier quality. Boag was named to his job in late May, shortly after DaimlerChrysler announced it was selling 80.1 percent of the Chrysler group to Cerberus Capital Management LP for $7.4 billion.

"There are no major changes as a result of the sale," Boag said. "Joint programs (with Daimler) will continue."

Purchasing for Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler group vehicles was coordinated under one global purchasing boss before the divorce of the two companies. Tom Sidlik in June told of his plans to retire as head of global purchasing.